Before the talk show, a promotional video played, and a samurai with a bluish, semi-transparent appearance appeared on stage.
“Whoa, that’s amazing! Look, it’s a 3D hologram!”
“Onii… I already know that. It’s common knowledge. Don’t look so thrilled.”
Himari tugged sadly on his sleeve.
But Shin Nosuke eyes were glued to the projected samurai model. It displayed extraordinary sword skills, pulling objects towards itself without touching them, and even slicing through iron bars. Shinnosuke couldn’t help but let out a gasp of admiration, making Himari squirm in embarrassment.
“Come on, Onii. Stop it. It’s embarrassing.”
Indeed, it was mostly older folks around them who looked surprised. The other attendees were clapping along to the video, simply enjoying it.
“The world has come a long way while you weren’t paying attention, Onii. Being surprised by 3D holograms is grandpa and grandma stuff.”
“Hmph.”
Just as Shinnosuke pouted slightly, the hologram faded, and a real samurai appeared on stage. Wearing the blue uniform of the special forces, the samurai waved in response to the cheering crowd—Himari tugged on his sleeve again.
“Hey, Onii…”
“What is it? Do you need the restroom? You’re such a handful.”
Himari puffed her cheeks in protest.
“No! How old do you think I am? Look, the samurai on stage. That’s Satsuki-neesan!”
“Huh?”
People of noble descent have distinct hair and eye colors. The samurai on stage had violet-tinged eyes and white, beautiful hair. And that appearance was indeed familiar.
“…You’re right. That’s Satsuki.”
It was their childhood friend, Gotomaki Satsuki. She was between Shinnosuke and Himari in age and had always played with them when they were kids. They hadn’t seen her recently, and it was a surprise to see her as a samurai.
Satsuki was basking in the applause.
Samurai were treated like idols, and it seemed Satsuki, with her good looks, was no exception.
“Come to think of it, she got a job this year, didn’t she…”
“If she’s working for the Owari Clan too, haven’t you run into her, Onii?”
At her curious question, Shinnosuke chuckled wryly.
“We’re in different departments. Work and school aren’t the same. If our departments don’t overlap, we don’t cross paths. Besides, she’s a samurai, and I work indoors.”
Shinnosuke also served the Owari Clan, following in his late father’s footsteps. But unlike the glamorous samurai, he was more of a behind-the-scenes worker, a low-ranking samurai handling internal affairs.
“Is that so? Still, it’d be nice if you two could meet. I’m sure she’d be happy.”
Himari took a picture of the stage and posted it on social media, smiling happily.
They continued watching the samurai talk show, but they grew bored after a while. Satsuki spoke less than the older samurai, which left both Himari and Shinnosuke feeling disinterested.
They quietly slipped out of the crowd and left the venue.
Himari, with her hands in her blazer pockets, walked leisurely beside Shinnosuke.
“Ahh, that was fun. I saw a lot today. I guess I’ve seen the whole festival now.”
“I don’t think you needed to see every corner.”
Shin Nosuke voice showed his amusement.
They had really gone from end to end of the festival. Shinnosuke had spent a lot of effort following Himari, who darted off here and there to see everything, and was now quite tired.
“Shall we head home?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
As she replied, Himari turned her gaze to the side.
Following her line of sight, he spotted a young girl, probably an elementary school student, holding a red balloon. She was looking around nervously, seemingly lost and close to tears.
“That girl’s lost.”
“Is she? I’m not so sure.”
Although Shinnosuke thought so too, he hesitated. In this day and age, talking to a lost child could lead to misunderstandings or even accusations of suspicious behavior. It could ruin his life if it turned into trouble.
Others passing by likely had the same thought, as they were all pretending not to notice.
But Himari was different.
“I’m positive. Whoa—!”
Just then, the little girl stumbled, letting go of her balloon, which floated up into the sky.
“Hey, are you alright? Does it hurt? Don’t cry, it’s okay.”
Himari ran over to the girl, crouching down and soothing her gently.
“What a busybody.”
“Oh, come on. It’s just a little kindness—”
Himari looked back at him, about to argue, but then suppressed a laugh.
Shinnosuke was holding the red balloon that the girl had just let go of, despite it having floated beyond reach.
But Himari didn’t question it, simply chuckling to herself.
“What is it?”
“You’re helping her despite what you said.”
“Be quiet. It’s just a coincidence, the balloon just happened to come to me.”
“Sure, sure, if you say so.”
Himari laughed happily, then held the girl’s hand and walked her to the lost child center.
Before they got there, they spotted a man, presumably her father, frantically searching. The girl ran to him, and they watched the happy reunion.
Himari waved back as the girl waved to them from afar.
“Mhm, doing a good deed feels nice. Praise me!”
“Good job, I’m glad my sister grew up to be so kind.”
Though he spoke lightheartedly, Shinnosuke truly meant it. He was proud that his sister had grown into a person who could show kindness to others. Raising her had been tough, but moments like this made him glad.
“And now for my reward!”
“You’re so cheeky. Here, have a drink.”
Shinnosuke bought a canned drink from a nearby stall. As it was a festival, it was sold at a flat price, and the can was chilled from being submerged in ice water.
“Here, your reward—”
At that moment, an emergency siren blared from the loudspeakers, followed by a jarring ringtone from everyone’s phones.
“An emergency beast alert?!”
It was a warning that the threat of a phantom beast was imminent.
